Hub City Horrors (Diary of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs)

Yanni Gourde's Diary: Thursday, October 1, 2020

Toronto, Canada (Edmonton, Canada)

Eastern Conference (Western Conference), Hotel X (JW Marriott/Sutton Place)

We beat the Islanders in the Eastern Conference Final (ECF). And now we're in the FINAL final! Against the Dallas Stars! This is going to be a tough series, but I'm ready!

Game one goes by fast, it's a blur. There's nothing from the game that was particularly impressive. We lost and allowed the Dallas Stars to take a one game lead on us with a 4-1 score. I was the lone scorer in that game, scoring to tie the game up before they took three more goals and the lead from us.

But we're the masters of coming back, so I have no doubts or worries.

Game two is a little longer and much closer in the final score, with it being 3-2. Pointer, Pally and Shatty all score for us. We manage to beat the Stars and tie the series up!

Game three is a doozy. We win big in that one with a final score of 5-2 to take a 2-1 series lead. We're hyped up! And we got our captain back, if even only for like two minutes of the game! It was worth it and he scored, as did Kuch, Heddy, Pointer and Pally! What a freaking leader!

Game four is a blur. We end up winning and take a 3-1 series lead in OT, pushing the Stars to the elimination. The score is 5-4, super close. Pointer scores twice, Killer and myself all get goals in this one and then it's Shatty who is the OT hero to end it and get us the big "W." There's no way we can lose three in a row. NO WAY.

Game five, the second of the back to back games is meh. We fight hard, but Dallas fights a little harder. In a second overtime, they manage to score and the series becomes 3-2. Pally and Misha score the goals for us in this game.

But we're not at all discouraged.

In fact, it makes us mad! We're that much more hungry to win the Cup!

Game six is a blur, but in a good way. I remember we came out hungry and strong. Dallas did too, putting everything they could, but they couldn't out-play us this time. Pointer and Pickles score the goals and Vasy records the shutout.

I'd write more and cover the next few days, but I got hardcore drunk for the boat parade and Raymond James Stadium celebration, I don't remember much except losing my shirt on the river (oops, but hey, I am the first one to remove it according to all my teammates). All I can say it's surreal, a dream come true.

And just like that...

THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING ARE THE 2020 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!! 

****

This one is short, because of all the excitement and just...I wanted a little wrap-up for this...I'm going to post one more chapter, being a Florida resident, photos and videos to capture everything was a must. 

Hope y'all enjoyed reading this as I enjoyed writing it! 

It was a blast and unpredictable at times. 

And...

LIGHTNING ARE THE CHAMPS BABY!!!